Ratu Totivi had been named as the rightful holder of the Tui Tavua title by the Native Lands Commission chairman, Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua.

This was after a dispute by claimant, Vereti Naruku also of the chiefly tokatoka Nadula, mataqali Tilivasewa of yavusa Bila in Tavua. Ratu Totivi was the younger brother of the late Tui Tavua Ratu Ovini Bokini, who died on January 15, 2009.